The Heightened Devastation of Superstorm Sandy on Undocumented Immigrants

Undocumented immigrants have been among the populations most impacted by Superstorm Sandy in New York City.

The federal government recently granted New York City $51 billion in aid for Sandy recovery. Of the initial $1.8 billion installment, $350 million has been distributed to 9,300 low-to-moderate income single-family homeowners, and $250 million has been allocated to low-to-moderate income tenants living in 13,000 units of houses and apartments. When the storm made landfall, homes and businesses were destroyed, sustaining nearly irreparable damages. In an effort to reclaim destroyed homes, lost possessions and steady employment, survivors turned to the federal government for support, but this has been no easy task for the undocumented population.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires that in order to access relief funds, one must present his or her Social Security number. This, of course, is a problem for most undocumented people, and has prevented thousands from accessing much needed…